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Referring back to his previous weekly report regarding the appointment of a new Hospital Chaplain, Chief Commissioner Clark writes that the Military Authorities have so far waived their decision as to Mr. Gower’s coming out to Étaples. He then moves on to discuss the renewal of the Officer’s six monthly contracts, as well as the state of the Hospital’s finances which, he writes are in a satisfactory state, but should perhaps be increased in the event that they are asked to extend their accommodation as, an extension using tents rather than huts, would in the current weather be incredibly difficult to manage. Finally, Chief Commissioner Clark makes several requests for the use of Order motor vehicles noting that control of their usage has recently been taken over by the Joint Committee.
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St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital,
Army Post Office S. 11,
British Expeditionary Force,
France.
18/11/15.
The Director,
The Ambulance Department,
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem
In England.
My Lord,
I have the honour to inform you that the hospital is
going on satisfactorily.
Referring to the Chaplain. The Military Authorities have
so far waived their decision as to his coming out here as to permit
him to do so under certain conditions. Sir Dyce Duckworth will
probably notify the Committee on the matter as I wrote him a full
account enclosing a copy of the Adjutant General’s letter on the
subject.
Mr. Gower’s position will, if he comes out, be rather
anomalous as having no position or standing amongst his colleagues
out here, but I have expressed my view of the matter in my letter
to Sir Dyce Duckworth.
A question as to the terms on which Officers will be
asked to renew their engagement at the end of the six months they
contracted to serve which will expire on January 13th has arisen.
I have submitted the points for consideration and my suggestions
to the Commissioner of the Brigade, Colonel Tyrrell, and requested
him to lay the matter before the Finance & General Purposes
Committee.
The Finances of the hospital are in a satisfactory state
and will enable the work of the hospital to be continued for some
time after the expiration of the six months from its first opening
September 6th if required. Still I think it desirable that every
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effort should be made to increase the fund as it is possible we
may be asked to extend our accommodation as tents, of which nearly
all other hospitals are composed, are almost impossible in the
inclement weather that has set in and is likely to be worse, also
we cannot say for how long the services of the hospital may be
required.
I am informed that the control of the Motor Cars
acquired by the Order has passed from the hands of the Order to
the control of the Joint Committee. I made application to Mr.
Phillips for a motor lory to carry not less than a ton or more
than a ton and a quarter for the use of the hospital, as the Ford
Van which is excellent for marketing and light jobs is not heavy or
large enough to carry the hospital washing at one journey to the
laundry which is some nine miles off.
I also asked that if such a thing were available a
small covered motor car such a Ford Landaulet might be supplied,
not for the use of the hospital but for the use of the district
under the senior Medical Officer here. He has much work to do at
night and a covered motor is required badly for the conveyance of
the friends of patients who are seriously ill to convey them to and
from their hotel. Such a Motor as above described would answer
both purposes. Now however that the Order has ceased to control
its own cars it may be difficult owing to the greater demands of
the Joint Committee to obtain what is required. I hope however
it may be possible.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordships
Obedient Servant,
James Clark.
